AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Chemistry Paper 2 (Foundation), 2024: Question 5

10 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Calculate aluminium recycling amounts and can numbers, then evaluate the sustainability of disposing of wood and steel using life cycle assessment data.

Practise this question

Question

The question page is headed with Question 05 about life cycle assessments, stating that LCAs are used to assess the environmental impact of different products. Part 05.1 says 212 million kilograms of aluminium is used for packaging in the UK each year and 68.0% is recycled, then asks for the mass recycled each year for 2 marks, with answer lines and a final blank labelled 'Mass of aluminium recycled = ... million kg'. Part 05.2 includes a photograph of many aluminium drinks cans seen from above, states that one can has a mass of 15.8 g and that 1000 g = 1 kg, then asks for the whole number of cans that can be made from 4.00 kg of aluminium for 4 marks, with working lines and a final blank labelled 'Whole number of cans = ...'. Part 05.3 shows Table 5 with percentages of wood and steel disposed of as waste, recycled, or burnt: wood 58, 36, 6 and steel 15, 85, 0 respectively, then asks students to evaluate the sustainability of the disposal of wood and steel for 4 marks.
Question text

05 Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are used to assess the environmental impact of

different products.

05.1 212 million kilograms of aluminium is used for packaging in the UK each year.

68.0% of aluminium packaging is recycled.

Calculate the mass of aluminium packaging that is recycled in the UK each year.

[2 marks]

Mass of aluminium recycled19 = million kg

05.2 Drinks cans are made from aluminium.

An aluminium can has a mass of 15.8 g.

1000 g = 1 kg

Calculate the whole number of aluminium cans that can be made from

4.00 kg of aluminium.

[4 marks]

Whole number of cans20 =

05.3 Table 5 shows three methods used to dispose of wood and steel after use.

Table 5

Percentage (%) of material disposed of by each method

As waste Recycled Burnt

Wood 58 36 6

*19* Steel 15 85 0

Evaluate the sustainability of the disposal of wood and steel.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for Question 5 is presented in tables with columns for question number, answers, extra information, marks, and AO/spec references. For 05.1 it awards marks for calculating 212 × 68.0 divided by 100 and giving 144 million kg, allowing 144.16 million kg and some larger-number equivalents for partial credit; for 05.2 it awards marks for converting 4 kg to 4000 g or 15.8 g to 0.0158 kg, dividing to get 253.16, and giving the whole number 253, with alternative valid methods listed. For 05.3 it uses level-based marking: Level 2 for a supported judgement and Level 1 for relevant but unlinked points, with indicative content including that steel has less waste to landfill, more recycling, no burning and therefore no carbon dioxide from burning, while wood has more waste and some burning which produces carbon dioxide and contributes to climate change.

Question 5

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.1 (mass of aluminium recycled =) AO2

212 × 68.0 1 5.10.2.1

100 5.10.2.2

= 144 (million kg) allow 144.16 (million kg) 1

allow for 1 mark only an answer

of

144 000 000 (million kg)

or

– 144 160 000 (million kg) – –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.2 (unit conversion 4 kg =) 4000 g 1 AO2

5.10.2.2

4000 allow correct use of an incorrect 1

(number of cans =) / no conversion

15.8

= 253.16 1

= 253 allow correct whole number from 1

an incorrectly determined

number of cans using the values

from the question

alternative approach 1

(unit conversion 15.8 g =)

0.0158 kg (1)

(number of cans =) (1) allow correct use of an incorrect

0.0158

/ no conversion

= 253.16 (1)

= 253 (1) allow correct whole number from

an incorrectly determined

number of cans using the values

from the question

alternative approach 2

(number of cans from 1000 g =)

1000

(1)

15.8

= 63.29 (1)

(number of cans from 4000 g)

= 63.29 × 4 (1) allow correct use of an

incorrectly determined number

of cans from 1000 g

(= 253.16) = 253 (1) allow correct whole number from

an incorrectly determined

number of cans using the values

– from the question – –

AO / 15

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

Level 2: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a 3–4 AO3

05.3

sufficient range of correct reasons, is given. 5.10.2.1

5.10.2.2

Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are not logically linked. 1‒2

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

• less steel (than wood) goes to waste

• (so) less space taken up in landfill

• more steel (than wood) is recycled

• (so) less non-renewable resources are needed

• no steel is burnt

• (so) no carbon dioxide produced

• (so) no contribution to climate change

• most wood is disposed of as waste

• (so) more space taken up in landfill

• least wood is disposed of by burning

• (but) still produces carbon dioxide

• (which) contributes to climate change

• most steel is disposed of by recycling

• (so) less non-renewable resources are needed

• judgement

Total Question 5 10

How to answer it

AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy Question 5

Life Cycle Assessment, Recycling and Sustainability

What this question tests

This question checks your ability to calculate percentages, convert units, use mass per item to find totals, and evaluate sustainability using data from a table. For the evaluation, you need to make a clear judgement and support it with linked points about recycling, waste, landfill, and carbon dioxide emissions.

✅ Part (a) / 05.1 — Mass of aluminium recycled

Calculate the mass of aluminium packaging recycled each year

💡 Key knowledge

  • To find a percentage of an amount: percentage × total ÷ 100
  • Here, the total mass is 212 million kg
  • The recycled percentage is 68.0%

📐 Calculations

  1. Write the calculation: 212 × 68.0 ÷ 100
  2. Work it out: = 144.16
  3. Round appropriately: 144 million kg

Mark scheme note: 144 million kg is the expected answer, with 144.16 million kg accepted.

🧠 Exam technique

  • Use the data exactly as given.
  • Keep the unit in million kg because the question starts in million kilograms.
  • You only need a short calculation for full marks.

❌ Common errors

  • Multiplying by 68 instead of 0.68 without dividing by 100.
  • Giving the answer in ordinary kilograms without converting back to the required unit.
  • Writing 212.68 instead of finding 68% of 212.

✅ Correct answer

Mass of aluminium recycled = 144 million kg

✅ Part (b) / 05.2 — Number of cans from 4.00 kg

Calculate the whole number of aluminium cans that can be made from 4.00 kg of aluminium

💡 Key knowledge

  • 1 kg = 1000 g
  • Each can has a mass of 15.8 g
  • You must find the whole number of cans, so round down after the calculation

📐 Calculations step-by-step

  1. Convert 4.00 kg to grams: 4.00 kg = 4000 g
  2. Divide total mass by mass per can: 4000 ÷ 15.8 = 253.16
  3. Whole number of cans: 253

Because you cannot make part of a can, the answer must be a whole number.

🧠 Exam technique

  • Show the unit conversion first for the method mark.
  • Use division, not multiplication, because you are finding how many can masses fit into the total mass.
  • Keep enough working so the examiner can award method marks even if you slip on rounding.

❌ Common errors

  • Using 4 ÷ 15.8 without converting kg to g.
  • Rounding to 254 instead of taking the whole number only.
  • Using 15.8 kg instead of 15.8 g.

✅ Correct answer

Whole number of cans = 253

✅ Part (c) / 05.3 — Evaluate sustainability

Evaluate the sustainability of the disposal of wood and steel

💡 Key knowledge from the table

  • Wood: 58% waste, 36% recycled, 6% burnt
  • Steel: 15% waste, 85% recycled, 0% burnt
  • Recycling is usually more sustainable than sending to landfill.
  • Burning releases CO₂, which contributes to climate change.

🧠 Exam technique

  • To reach the top level, give a judgement and support it with linked reasons.
  • Compare wood and steel directly.
  • Use the data in the table — don’t just write generic recycling facts.

❌ Common errors

  • Listing facts without making a final judgement.
  • Ignoring the difference between wood and steel.
  • Forgetting that burning wood produces CO₂.
  • Saying recycled material is always fully renewable — the examiner wants a sustainability argument, not vague statements.

✅ What a full-mark answer could say

Steel is more sustainable than wood because 85% of steel is recycled, compared with only 36% of wood, so less steel goes to waste and less landfill space is needed. Also, no steel is burnt, so no carbon dioxide is produced from burning it. Wood is less sustainable because 58% is disposed of as waste, which takes up more landfill space, and 6% is burnt, releasing carbon dioxide and contributing to climate change. Therefore, steel disposal is more sustainable overall than wood disposal.

📐 How marks are awarded

  • Level 1 (1–2 marks): relevant points are made, but they may not be clearly linked.
  • Level 2 (3–4 marks): a clear judgement is made and supported by several linked reasons using the table data.

🧠 Exam technique: a strong structure

  1. Start with the overall judgement: steel is more sustainable.
  2. Use evidence: 85% recycled steel vs 36% recycled wood.
  3. Explain why it matters: less waste, less landfill, fewer raw materials needed.
  4. Add the burning point: wood is burnt, so CO₂ is released, but steel is not burnt.
  5. Finish with a conclusion: steel is the better option overall.
⭐ Quick revision summary

✅ Answers to remember

  • 05.1: 144 million kg
  • 05.2: 253 cans
  • 05.3: Steel is more sustainable than wood

💡 Key facts

  • Percentages can be used to find parts of a total.
  • Always convert units before calculating.
  • Recycling reduces waste and use of raw materials.
  • Burning materials can release CO₂.

🧠 Final exam tip

For calculations, show your working clearly. For evaluation questions, compare the data, make a judgement, and explain why it matters. That is what separates a basic answer from a top-level one.

Topics

Chemistry · C10: Using Resources

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy examination, Chemistry Paper 2 (Foundation), 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.